Monday, December 6, 2010

Welcome to the Sketchbook Challenge!

So you want to start keeping a sketchbook but every time you sit down with a book in front of you and pencil in hand you freeze up and just can't seem to get started. Wouldn't it be helpful to be able to get a glimpse inside another artists sketchbook to see how they use theirs? Well you're in luck because help is on the way!

The sketchbook challenge is a new project launching on 1/1/2011. Follow along with us as we fill our sketchbooks based on a monthly theme that will be announced on the first of each month.

Each month we'll announce a new theme on this blog and throughout the month we'll be showing you images from our sketchbooks and talking about the intention and inspiration behind them. Along the way we'll be sharing tips, techniques and tutorials. We hope that by giving you a peek inside our sketchbooks and showing you how different they all are that we'll inspire you to start keeping a sketchbook of your own. And of course if you do, we'll want to see some photos of your book too so we've designed a blog badge for you to put on your own blog to show your participation in the project. You can download the badge here.

We encourage you to post photos of your sketchbook pages on your blog and then post a link in the comment section of the Sketchbook Challenge blog so that others can look at your pages too! We've also set up a flickr group where you can post photos too. You'll find the group here.

And that's not all! Thanks to the generosity of some terrific sponsors we'll be doing some givewaways and special shopping offers too!

So pick up your blog badge here, go grab a sketchbook, some pencils, pens, markers or paints and get ready to sketch with us!

We won't be doing a group flickr page so you can just post to yours when you have photos of your pages and leave a comment with a link to the page on one of the posts here on this blog so people can find it.

OK, the logo is now in the sidebar of my journaling blog, and I have a note in my diary to check the first assignment on 1.1.2011. Can't wait! Here's to lots of fabulous sharing. Desk space miraculously cleared, and candle all ready to light as well.

Katherine, are you sure you didn't sign up for The Sketchbook Project with the Brooklyn Library? I don't think they'll send you an email about it, they should have sent you the journal which you fill and send back.

I've got the badge and I'm definitly following along as an eager learner. I'll study the tutorial suggestions and pick up my supplies. This is going to make for a very exciting year. Thanks for doing this.

Judi, no I didn't sign up for that one and I'm not doing that sketchbook....but mjrussell got it right...I did sign up for the Strathmore one...I think.... can I do two? Thanks for that Mj..this one will probably be more fun...;=)

I would love to do this! I clicked on the badge I tryed to add it to my blog www.rossini-malafronte.blogspot.com and it doesn't show up; it doesn't show up on my Fiber arts blog either. Also, I'm unclear, how and when will I do this--post- and where? Boy, I need alot of help! Sorry...

wow! just discovered this through Jane Lafazio's site- what a wonderful idea!!! Not that I NEED to join another challenge but it will be so much fun to follow and maybe join in...great way to discover more artists too!

Well I already have a several sketchbooks that I use, mainly for working out ideas that move into finished pieces, but having a theme should be interesting, so I will try to play - I may get sidetracked but as far as I can see I have nothing to loose ... Thanks for doing this.

Yay! I've already added the button to my blog! I hope more are interested. I'm a new quilter, and maybe not the greatest artist, but that doesn't stop me from having a sketchbook, and drawing my ideas in it. I can't wait for tips and tricks. I've been bringing my book along with me wherever I go now incase I see a swirl or element I think would look good on a quilt so that I can quickly sketch it in my book. Thank you for having this sketch along!

I'm all set, I bought a brand spanking new coil bound sketch book today and can hardly wait to get going on this. Having the prompts will be a great help for me to get started. I have the badge already on my blog site. Now all I have to do is make fascination from procrastionation !!!

Traci all you have to do is put the badge on your blog and grab a sketchbook! We'll be announcing the first theme on 1/1. We encourage you to post photos of your sketchbook pages on your blog and then post a link in the comment section of the Sketchbook Challenge blog so that others can look at your pages too! We've also set up a flickr group to post photos too as well: http://www.flickr.com/groups/sketchbookchallenge/

Get more details on the challenge by clicking the "how the challenge works" tab at the top of the sketchbook challenge blog.

I have put the badge on my blog. I am VERY excited about this. I have also been wanting to keep a journal, but everytime I try, I get discourage. I am hoping this will keep my a bit "accountable" and I know I will be inspired by everyone else too. Thank you.

This just might be the ticket to get me past that cement wall I keep running into. Funny thing is I keep drawing on bits of paper all over the place but hand me a journal and I hit the cement wall. So I shall give this a try!!! Thanks

I can't tell you how many journals I've purchased over the years, and then done nothing with them. I have a wonderful supply right now, and think this time, with all of the support I can hear out there, I'll finally get off my duff and DO it!!

Well, I added the Badge to my blog...but didn't get around to posting about it until now. I have included pages of my current sketchbook and the rationale as to why I have decided to join this challenge...as if I need any more challenges! I'm hoping I can keep up and develop this into what it needs to be.

I am excited to be a part of this--my first challenge and a new blog and a new year! Posted bedge to my blog! One of the ABC's of Embracing Your Bliss is creating beautiful things! This will fit that for sure.

Gee so many of you are such good artists - after viewing your blog sites. I feel rather new to this - well I am. I too do not have a blog site or flicker page but will enjoy viewing how everyone treats the challenges.Happy New Year